Den of Writers | RichardB | Mentions https://www.denofwriters.com/members/richardb/activity/mentions/ Activity feed mentioning RichardB. Fri, 22 May 2026 22:13:14 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-GB 30 hourly 2 27c5acae94ca0f8ca4552f6908593ea1 Athelstone posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/22860/#acomment-22879 Sun, 28 Apr 2024 17:12:41 +0000 @purplewitch absolutely. I don’t think it will be an issue because the writer in question is quite sharp. Anyway, if it gets to the point where a 3rd party is giving it a professional read, it isn’t going to last.

@richardb yep, that analogy is about right. In this instance I wouldn’t say the author has cloth ears (although the others might, I…[Read more]

In reply to - Athelstone posted an update Oddity Corner: accustom, verb, make someone or something accept (something) as normal. The other day, in my writing group, somebody came up with the phrase, “…as my eyes accustomed to […] ]]> 3e64a46dbe8c14558a63075bb9fb4b07 Knicks replied to the topic How to reach out to a speculative fiction editor? in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/how-to-reach-out-to-a-speculative-fiction-editor/#post-12698 Mon, 29 Aug 2022 20:03:08 +0000 Thank you both, @richardb and @katemachon; Kate, the info on your process, experience and end results was especially illuminating. Thanks so much! ✨

]]> 0 0385ec6349d0eec6168b2cc0fde10374 Knicks replied to the topic Eagle! in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/eagle/#post-10878 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 13:50:52 +0000 @richardb how cool is that!! Thank you for sharing your special day and moment 😃✨

@athelstone

We are not natural

I couldn’t have said it more aptly myself, nor could I agree more. How beautiful it is to re-introduce a species we made the unnatural choice (and for pleasure no less!) to hunt to near-extinction. And how hideous it is to have hunted…[Read more]

]]> 0 c8417152979f9fddab4dc1ebabba8823 Libby replied to the topic Beta Reading Discussion in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/beta-reading-discussion/#post-10563 Sun, 18 Jul 2021 14:16:11 +0000 I think I’d be a different kind of reader, @RichardB, if I’d been a more instinctive writer. It took me a lot of patience and many disappointing surprises to learn how fiction works, and how my own writing didn’t make the grade. I still have a way to go. Having been quite good at academic writing – though a plodding academic for the short period…[Read more]

]]> 0 62c8fbb1cc40b7cb88805a822ef00fa3 Janette posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/17639/#acomment-17675 Thu, 08 Jul 2021 16:31:14 +0000 Thank you, all, for your well-wishes. @richardb, sorry to hear about your wife. Care has been hit-and-miss due to an over-stretched NHS, but Mr O has taken a sabbatical from our small business and is taking good care of me. Just a pity I can’t always get to talk to relevant NHS departments when I need to.

Re Den, lets hope we can sort it out and…[Read more]

In reply to - Janette replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs Sorry I’m so late to this. As many of you know, I’ve had rather a bad accident (tripped on a pothole) and suffered several injuries, including […] ]]> 5a8a812c7695853e0fffd8d40e9aad12 JaneShuff posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/15081/#acomment-15091 Sat, 15 Aug 2020 07:00:44 +0000 Thanks @richardb, @libby, @daedalus. Great suggestions. If you had a spare copy, Daeds, I would happily buy it.

In reply to - JaneShuff posted an update Some advice please. I have just started reading aloud everyday via Facetime to my father who has Alzheimers and we are close to getting to the end of the book he had picked up. So I am […] ]]> ae3b021f0ebbed1b0fdcd4a5c7e09e32 KazG posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/14818/#acomment-14856 Mon, 13 Jul 2020 11:26:58 +0000 A lovely blog, @richardb, and I wholeheartedly agree with your summary of le Guin – she is absolutely one of my favourite writers. I loved her as a young thing and my admiration has only deepened as my own writing journey progresses. Ive never read this and will seek it out – thank you!

In reply to - RichardB started the topic Richard's Literary Byways: The Beginning Place, by Ursula K Le Guin in the forum Blogs The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that this is the second book by Ursula K Le Guin that I […] ]]> f032395a10fa32b5b0cbc8c5bcd73bb1 Raine replied to the topic Monthly comp - April 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-comp-april-2020/#post-8210 Fri, 01 May 2020 10:49:48 +0000 Thank-you all. I just realised as I logged on to write this that we talked about making these comps run over two months rather than one? I’ll stick to one month being as that was how I set it. So. These were all a delight to read. So many memories and things that resonated with me very powerfully. Anyway, on to my thoughts.

@jllsted I am very…[Read more]

]]> 0 58c9f834e999060c4e095994a457c0d7 Daedalus replied to the topic New historical fiction novella in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/new-historical-fiction-novella/#post-7312 Tue, 28 Jan 2020 15:08:29 +0000 Thanks @RichardB 🙂

]]> 0 5d28c14ec1ca4fb221e72fdfa7a31c04 Alan Rain replied to the topic Brexit dismay in the forum Coffee Shop https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/brexit-dismay/#post-7185 Fri, 17 Jan 2020 22:38:46 +0000 @bellam Happy new year to you, too.
Those rifts are very deep and go way beyond mere viewpoints. Because of various issues that I won’t mention here, I don’t expect to see any healing in our society for the foreseeable future.
I wish I could share your optimism, but I can’t.
Good luck with your writing.

@Richardb Regarding politics, I did…[Read more]

]]> 0 b59c94c84520aee2a13c14ba489722b0 Raine replied to the topic Bi-Monthly Comp - May/June 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/bi-monthly-comp-may-june-2019/#post-5520 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 09:21:05 +0000 Well, thank-you everyone for entering. I’m so glad I set this particular challenge as it’s been so much fun getting little insights into all your works in progress and I can genuinely say I’d have carried on reading every one of them. They all pulled me right in and left me wanting more, so seriously well dones on lots of good stuff.

Because…[Read more]

]]> 0 17623167b86ca03c1a02adbf976b4ccd KazG posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/9557/#acomment-9583 Sun, 02 Jun 2019 12:00:07 +0000 Happy belated birthday @richardb! I read of someone (name escapes me) who used to collect rejections and aimed for a certain number each month, each one being an achievement and a measurement of activity and submission. So each one worthy of celebration. I’ve actually found that approach helpful myself, bizarre though it seems…

In reply to - RichardB posted an update Nice birthday present yesterday: the first in the latest round of rejections. ]]> 92e861dd15a63e3eef172c9050d42b01 Raine replied to the topic Terminal discouragement? in the forum Coffee Shop https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/terminal-discouragement/page/2/#post-5107 Wed, 08 May 2019 10:56:22 +0000 THanks for the interesting post @richardb. 🙂 I did laugh at Harry critisising the very services that JW offer! I guess their taught courses are less in depth than an MA, but it’s the same principal. As someone said (@janeshuff?) I love that the SE course attracts a wide range of writing genres/styles so there seemed no gravitation towards some…[Read more]

]]> 0 5ed09f06d08f987551b03c3ef4bb84ab Daedalus replied to the topic My Publishing Nightmare – the story of a book deal gone bad (Part 1) in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/my-publishing-nightmare-the-story-of-a-book-deal-gone-bad-part-1/#post-4104 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:07:34 +0000 I’d hate to think that, @richardb – the truth is that it’s not that hard to avoid what happened to me. If you pursue the agent route, most of it is irrelevant anyway, although you obviously have to do your research into any agents who offer to represent you. In 99% of cases, just being aware of the possible problems means you can avoid…[Read more]

]]> 0 b7fc50418acf0b6e40ea827fd3412d22 Philippa East posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/7121/#acomment-7191 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 08:47:28 +0000 Thanks @richardb

In reply to - RichardB posted an update Emma Darwin’s latest blog is one of her shortest – and most […] ]]> 4b5378c510f6fd3a17b486395c71d533 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/6133/#acomment-6212 Tue, 11 Dec 2018 12:40:02 +0000 @richardb, I used to sit on the sofa with my laptop and lots of cushions, but I finally set up a desk, so now have the laptop on one of those stands that lift the screen, and a proper keyboard attached. Best of both worlds, and I’ve been surprised (horrified) by how much it’s improved my concentration. :-O I read my wip-on-kindle in bed! Just…[Read more]

In reply to - RichardB posted an update in the group December SloMo Nice post, @kazg, and one that resonates with me. I’ve always worked by chipping away, little by little. I don’t set myself targets, and I try not to think […] ]]> d3a8da30ee6ee7cd0f916878704ad86d Libby posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/6194/#acomment-6208 Tue, 11 Dec 2018 11:44:34 +0000 Thanks @richardb. I agree with you. I’m not normally a word-count watcher. I was just feeling a bit bogged down so counted up to see if I’d achieved anything at all!

In reply to - Libby posted an update in the group December SloMo I’ve changed my profile pic to something less bot-like. These are the leaves of a whitebeam, one of my favourite trees. I was thinking of growth, hope, […] ]]> 6fc6809110420ae0dd15f271aad2cc54 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/6133/#acomment-6154 Fri, 07 Dec 2018 13:14:36 +0000 Yay for finishing the edit, @richardb! That’s fantastic. Hope the read through goes ok. HOw do you do this bit? On paper or screen? My final read is on my kindle as it looks totally different compared to paper or laptop – so I spot things I didn’t before. But earlier not-strictly-editing reads are mostly from laptop.

In reply to - RichardB posted an update in the group December SloMo Nice post, @kazg, and one that resonates with me. I’ve always worked by chipping away, little by little. I don’t set myself targets, and I try not to think […] ]]> f7be1df22f50baada6499747e99923b7 KazG posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/6133/#acomment-6134 Thu, 06 Dec 2018 23:53:56 +0000 Thanks @richardb 🙂 And yes, there is so much truth in that ‘one step at a time’ adage. Really it’s the only way anything ever happens, regardless of the pace. One little task at a time. Congrats on finishing the rewrite, and enjoy the read! Always an exciting point 🙂

In reply to - RichardB posted an update in the group December SloMo Nice post, @kazg, and one that resonates with me. I’ve always worked by chipping away, little by little. I don’t set myself targets, and I try not to think […] ]]> efdb0c436736a13e54f12fb547facc26 Philippa East posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/5951/#acomment-5977 Sun, 02 Dec 2018 19:20:13 +0000 Thanks @richardB. “Shrinking from” – that’s exactly it!! I know I just need to take a deep breath, and step in. Quit worrying about the outcome and just engage with the process.
I have four clear hours tomorrow morning to work, so hopefully I will make some progress. Out of interest, Richard, what was the problem and what was your fix? (if you…[Read more]

In reply to - Philippa East posted an update in the group December SloMo Hello Everyone, and thanks so much @raine for setting this group up. Like Seagreen, I have editing work to do over the next month or so, so I am hoping […] ]]> 599f533db954e42a10504704b4b42516 JaneShuff replied to the topic NaNoWriMo in the forum Coffee Shop https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/nanowrimo/page/6/#post-3187 Fri, 23 Nov 2018 07:36:26 +0000 Good point @Richardb about the guitar playing.

And @alainrain, I think we all struggle and procrastinate from time to time because writing can be tough.

]]> 0 61619ed49b3a2330f627383bfd22a20c Raine replied to the topic NaNoWriMo in the forum Coffee Shop https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/nanowrimo/page/6/#post-3173 Thu, 22 Nov 2018 10:15:48 +0000 Aw fanks @jillybean! But then I couldn’t write horror if you held a gun to my head. Although actually, that might be somewhat inspiring! :-O Histfic either – I don’t think I have the memory capacity anymore *sighs*

Yeah @richardb I guess that’s it! It’s not a part of actual life-that-involves-real-people! That’s aside from the fact that it’s…[Read more]

]]> 0 fdf34806bd13db93a1ce7baf096fcad7 Alan Rain replied to the topic NaNoWriMo in the forum Coffee Shop https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/nanowrimo/page/6/#post-3167 Wed, 21 Nov 2018 21:27:37 +0000 Yes, @richardb, valid point.

]]> 0 09d266fcae31a8c113ce0248f31ae981 KazG replied to the topic TV appearance - Quest, 'Wings of War' in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/tv-appearance-quest-wings-of-war/page/2/#post-2973 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 02:44:53 +0000 I’ve now watched this and it is brilliant. Quality programme, as others have said, and you shine, @daedalus. I was spot on (as @richardb said) when I said I bet you were ‘engaging, knowledgeable and quietly authoritative’, before I had a chance to see it…:-) Really well done! x

]]> 0 7f0204b1bf6b647338ee1df393f267de Raine replied to the topic Some notes on Dara Marks' Transformational Arc in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/some-notes-on-dara-marks-transformational-arc/#post-2594 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 10:01:26 +0000 @richardb and @squidge – I don’t think there’s anything wrong in not wanting to use models like these! I have a penchance for graphs, which is probably ~60% of why I love it! No – I like the tie-in between internal and external, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

@athelstone, yeah you’re totally right, I agree it’s foolish to think that any…[Read more]

]]> 0 aae9a8994f8f72f6990962bfa17d47ad Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/4857/#acomment-4883 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 09:52:55 +0000 @janeshuff, that sort of forum would be great wouldn’t it? Perhaps worth setting one up sometime.
@squidge & @richardb, it’s a gorgeous place, isn’t it? I had a couple of trips there to stay at a residential welsh language school in the most stunning, stark, kind of depressing setting. I love all those abandoned mines/quarrys/houses. Softer than…[Read more]

In reply to - Raine posted an update Been doing research for new wip today. Photos of the Llyn peninsula, stats on welsh cob ponies AND OS MAPS YAY FOR OS MAPS ]]> 7d5a0d8d0d08b2cd074f2b66edf02ab5 Alan Rain replied to the topic NaNoWriMo in the forum Coffee Shop https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/nanowrimo/page/2/#post-2467 Mon, 22 Oct 2018 19:53:32 +0000 Ditto @Richardb
Niggles like an itch in a sensitive spot. Impossible to leave.

]]> 0 32e99919b05b4144e811fd6ccb451e83 Philippa East replied to the topic Richard's Literary Byways: The Dispossessed, by Ursula K Le Guin in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/richards-literary-byways-the-dispossessed-by-ursula-k-le-guin/#post-1674 Sat, 22 Sep 2018 17:02:25 +0000 Thanks @richardb
I’ve just ordered a copy from the library 🙂

]]> 0 281f2fa13fa6536472bd72ba52b5cf9e Jonathan replied to the topic Secure posting area? in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/secure-posting-area/#post-1586 Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:48:26 +0000 @RichardB good point. I suppose it would be a group in itself, admin’ed by whichever subset of people want the task, with the “accept members” functionality providing the security.

]]> 0 8fc0486e1418779110ed53b67b8b2d89 Raine posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/3176/#acomment-3229 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 08:48:43 +0000 Yes, don’t give up @richardb! I’m not sure the talk of fashions is much help being as agents are always guessing on what will be next, and the things in the shops were signed two years before. We were told about 4 years ago that post-apocalytpic was done. But there are still agents asking for it, and still new books appearing in the shops. And I’m…[Read more]

In reply to - RichardB posted an update Three years ago I was told by a WW editor that my first novel hadn’t a hope of being published because there is no market for ghost stories, and particularly not those about haunted houses […] ]]> 82d549ee9ab2351187816d45ee90bf6b Athelstone posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/1806/#acomment-1849 Sat, 08 Sep 2018 12:45:17 +0000 Our very own Jules (@jillybean) did indeed wave her magic wand of Wordpress magic to conjure up this fabulous confcetion, the Den of Writers. The full guilty few , who thought the place up, squabbled over names, who does what, founded and funded it are: Jules (@jillybean), Athelstone (@athelstone), Fiona (@bric), Daedalus (@daedalus), KazG…[Read more]

In reply to - Baz Baron posted an update @sandradavies Nice to have found you all (again) I see that ‘ The writing place’ has gone as well as ‘The Cloud’ Sad day for writers’ but welcome news about Den of Writers, who set it […] ]]> d88931128d869c5154b5c0b21bd8f3bc Bella replied to the topic Getting an Agent. in the forum Blogs http://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/getting-an-agent/page/4/#post-442 Wed, 05 Sep 2018 11:15:53 +0000 @RichardB – go for it. I loved that ghost story.

]]> 0 daf29254abec877d0cd02643c9e55274 Philippa East replied to the topic Getting an Agent. in the forum Blogs http://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/getting-an-agent/page/3/#post-427 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 16:26:50 +0000 @RichardB

Sarah Manning's tweet

Sarah Manning requested subs of ghost stories in July

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